Fluid compressor cooling system



April 18, 1950 J, BEVAN 2,504,245

FLUID COMPRESSOR COOLING SYSTEM Filed March 22, 1946 FIG. 1.

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Patented Apr. 18, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUID COMPRESSOR-COOLING SYSTEM James I. Bevan, East McKeesport, Pa.

Application March 22, 1946, Serial No. 658,291

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a fluid compressor cooling system, and more particularly to such a device adapted for the cooling of any desired fluids, in combination with a compressor.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved-device characterized by means whereby conjunction with a compression cylinder a fluid to be cooled is sucked into the device and expelled partially through a cooling coil and partially into a storage tank in such manner that the automatic cooling of portions of the fluid is effectively accomplished.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device wherein the fluid passed through the cooling system issubsequently circulated about the fluid applied directly to the storage tank and admixed therewith in such manner that the 'fluid ultimately expelled to the storage tank is substantially cooler than that originally admitted to the device.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention, it may here be pointed out that it is typical of air compressors that air drawn from the atmosphere becomes heated when compressed. If not dissipated, this heat wllloverheat the machine and literally burn it up.

An important object of this invention, therefore, is the provision of means whereby an air compressor will operate at a materially reduced temperature.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device that will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and install.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein there are disclosed some preferred embodiments of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a transverse sectional view, partially schematic, of one form of device embodying features of the instant inventive concept.

Figure 2 is a similar view showing a modified form of construction.

Having reference now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figure 1, there is generally indicated at In a cylinder having positioned therein a reciprocating piston l I adapted to be moved in any desired manner to provide alternative suction and compression strokes. The upper portion of the cylinder III is provided with an inlet l2 which leads into a first chamber I! closed by a ll partition II and having at its lower extremity a check valve ii of any desired conventional type adapted upon the suction stroke to open to permit access of the fluid into the main body of the cylinder III and to close on the compression stroke.

On the other side of the partition I4 is a radial or fourth chamber It provided with an outlet ll leading to suitable storage tanks (not shown) and surrounding coaxially a smaller inner or third chamber I8. The chamber 18 is provided with a check valve iii of any desired conventional type adapted to be opened upon the compression stroke of the piston H and closed on the suction stroke thereof. An outlet 20 leads from the chamber I8 to a cooling coil 28 of any desired conventional configuration, the opposite extremity of which enters through an inlet 22 a second chamber 23 provided at its lower extremity with a check valve 24 of any desired type correspondingly adapted to open on the compression stroke of the piston II and close on the suction stroke. The chamber 23 is in communication through a port 25 with the chamber l6 surrounding the chamber I8.

Thus, it will be seen that in the operation of the device, when the piston I I moves downwardly on the suction stroke, the valve I5 is opened and fluid is admitted from the inlet l2 into the main body of the cylinder l0. Conversely, on the opposite stroke the valves IS and 24 are both opened, and a certain proportion of the fluid is forced through the valve is into the chamber I8 and through the cooling coil 2| back inwardly into the chamber 23. correspondingly, an additional proportion of the fluid is passed directly through the valve 24 into the chamber 23 and thence through the port 25 into the chamber l6 and outwardly through the outlet II directly to the storage tank.

Thus, it will be seen that the ultimate fluid passed to the storage tank is comprised of a mixture of fluid, partially cooled in the normal passage through the cylinder Ill, and partially additionally cooled through passage through the cooling coil 2|, thus effecting a substantial reduction in the overall temperature of the fluid and resulting in a materially cooled fluid passing through the outlet l'l.

While in the foregoing, the outlet IT has been described as leading to a storage tank, it is to be understood that, if the cooling system is used with a compound or multi-stage compressor, the cooled fluid passing through the outlet I1 is led to another stage and the cooling cycle is re.

peated in that stage, and so on through each stage and then from the last stage to the storage tank. The device oi the instant invention is adapted for use on each stage of a compound machine. requiring at least one cylinder for each stage. similarly, the device could be applied to each cylinder of a single or multi-stage ma-- chine having more than one cylinder.

Having reference now to the modification disclosed in Figure 2, there is generally disclosed at 30 a cylinder similar to the cooling cylinder l and correspondingly provided with a piston similar to the piston ll (not shown).

Fluid is admitted to the cylinder through a port 3| which leads into an annular or peripheral first chamber 32 surrounding a valve mechanism including a threaded header block 33 having radial ports 34 leading into an aperture 35 below the block 33. A lower closure plate 36 is provided with annular ports 31 adapted to be closed by means of a valve member as supply for admitting fluid from said source into said chamber, a check valve in said chamber for controlling the discharge of the fluid from said chamber into said cylinder, a second chamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston ad'- Jacent the opposite side of said cylinder, a check valve for said second chamber for controlling the admission therein of fluid from said cylinder,

a third chamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston and positioned contiguous to said first and second-named chambers, a check valve for said third chamber for controlling the admission therein of fluid from said cylinder, an

inlet and an outlet in said second chamber, an

spring-biased by a spring 39 and a plate 40, the

latter being secured to the plate 38 by means of a bolt 4| and nut 42'. It will thus be seen that upon the suction stroke of the piston the valve member 38 is opened downwardly against the bias of the spring 39, permitting the passage of the fluid admitted through the port 3|,

through the chamber 82, and through the ports 34 and the ports 31 into the main body of the cylinder 30. On the opposite side of the cylinder there is provided an aperture 4| closed. by a plate 42 having a centrally positioned valve aperture 43, or series of apertures, closed by a valve 44 spring-biased by a spring 45, held in position by a nut 46 and bolt 41 to a header closure'plate 48. The plate 48 is provided with apertures 48 permitting the passage of fluid admitted upwardly through the ports 43 into a third chamber 50 which communicates through an outlet 5| with a cooling coil 52. The opposite end of the cooling coil 52 enters through an aperture 53 into a second chamber 54 through which the admission of fluid from the cylinder 30 is permitted by means of ports 55 disposed concentrically with the ports 43 and closed by valve members 56 spring-biased by a coil spring 51 secured in position between the valve members 56 and the header plate 48. An outlet 58 leads to an outlet pipe 59, which in turn leads to a storage tank, or an additional stage, as may be desired. It is to be noted that the third chamber 50 is superimposed upon the second chamber 54.

In its essentials the operation of this modification of the device is substantially identical to that previously disclosed, the sole distinction being in the arrangement of parts. In this modification, upon the suction stroke, the valve member 38 is opened downwardly, and upon the compression stroke the valves 56 and 44 are correspondingly opened upwardly, a certain portion of the fluid being admitted to the chamber 54, and an additional portion to the chamber 50. Said fluid entering the chamber as passes through the coolingcoil 52 and is readmitted to the chamber 54, whereupon the admixed fluid passes through the port 5s into the outlet 59in the manner previously discussed.

As various embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as various modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbeiore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

outlet in said third chamber, a cooling coil having one end connected to the inlet in said second chamber and having the other end connected to the outlet in said third chamber, and conduit means operatively connected to the outlet of said second chamber for conveying the fluid discharged therein from said cooling coil to said source of fluid supply.

2. In a fluid compressor cooling system, the combination of a compression cylinder, a reciprocating piston in said cylinder, a first chamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston and adjacent one side of said cylinder, an inlet in said chamber and connected to a source of fluid supply for admitting fluid from said source into said chamber, a check valve in said chamber for controlling the discharge of the fluid from said chamber into said cylinder, a second chamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston adjacent the opposite side of said cylinder, a check valve for said second chamber for controlling the admission therein of fluid from said cylinder, a third chamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston and positioned intermediate said first and second chambers, a check valve for said third chamber for controlling the admission therein of fluid from said cylinder, an inlet and an outlet in said second chamber, an outlet in said third chamber, a cooling coil having one end connected to the inlet in said second chamber and havin the other end connected to the outlet in said third chamber, and conduit means operatively connected to the outlet of said second chamber for conveying the fluid discharged therein from said cooling coil to said source of fluid supp y.

3. In a fluid compressor cooling system, the combination of a compression cylinder, 'a reciprocating piston in said cylinder, a first chamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston and adjacentone side of said cylinder, an inlet in said chamber and connected to a source of fluid supply for admitting fluid from said source into said chamber, a check valve in said chamber for controlling the discharge of the fluid from said chamber into said cylinder, a second chamber-in said cylinder arranged above said piston adjacent the opposite side of said cylinder, a check valve for said second chamber for controlling the admission therein of fluid from said cylinder, a third chamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston and positioned intermediate between said first and second-named chambers, a. check valve for said third chamber for controlling the admission therein of fluid from said cylinder, an

inlet in said second chamber, an outlet in said third chamber, a cooling coil having one end connected to the inlet in said second chamber and having the other end connected to the outlet in said third chamber, a fourth chamber surrounding said third chamber and in communication supply for admitting fluid from said source into.

said chamber, a check valve in said chamber for controlling the discharge oi the fluid from said chamber into said cylinder, a second chamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston adjacent the opposite side of said cylinder, a check valve for said second chamber for controlling theadmission therein oi fluid from said cylinder, a

third chamber in said cylinder arranged above said piston and superimposed upon said secondnamed chamber, a check valve for said third chamber for controlling the admission therein of fluid from said cylinder, an inlet and an outlet in said second chamber, an outlet in said third chamber, a cooling coil having one end connected to the inlet in said second chamber and having the other end connected to the outlet in said third chamber, and a conduit connect-ed to the outlet of said second chamber for conveying the fluid discharged therein from said cooling coil to said source of fluid supply.

JAMES I. BEVAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are 01' record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 361,596 Rankin Apr. 19, 1887 411,252 Metzger Sept. 17, 1889 1,714,836 Aikman May 28, 1929 

